The Rams’ rally fails as the Packers pick up a win at SoFi

It’s going to be a long week for the Rams.

And the way things continue, it could be a very long season.

The Rams’ 24-19 loss to the Green Packers on Sunday in front of 72,842 spectators at SoFi Stadium – including many Packers fans – dropped their record to 1-4 at the start of their week off.

Coach Sean McVay and the still injury-plagued Rams welcome the farewell.

However, their already dimmed playoff hopes will be dashed if they don’t make it in the next two weeks before facing the Las Vegas Raiders on October 20th.

On Sunday, the Rams couldn’t overcome inexcusable penalties, a lost fumble and an interception and lost their second straight game.

Packers quarterback Jordan Love took advantage of all the mistakes and turned them into a field goal and two touchdown passes to tight end Tucker Kraft, so the guests improved to 3-2.

Last season, the Rams suffered a loss to the Packers that dropped their record to 3-6 entering the break. Quarterback Matthew Stafford returned from a thumb injury to lead the team to seven wins in eight games, finishing 10-7 and reaching the playoffs.

The Rams could make a similar run if injured players return in time to salvage the season. Star receiver Cooper Kupp is expected to return for the game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

_{Rams safety Jaylen McCollough runs into the end zone after intercepting a pass from the Packers’ Jordan Love near the goal line.}

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Receiver Puka Nacua and offensive linemen Steve Avila and Joe Noteboom, who suffered injuries in the season-opening loss to the Lions, are also eligible to return from injured reserve, although McVay did not provide a definitive timetable for when they will be ready.

Offensive lineman Jonah Jackson and safety John Johnson III are eligible to return after the game against the Raiders.

On Sunday, Stafford nearly staged another comeback when he completed 29 of 45 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown with one interception. Kyren Williams rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, but lost a fumble.

The Rams led 13-10 at halftime on Williams’ touchdown run and Jaylen McCollough’s interception return for a score, the Rams defense’s first touchdown since the 2022 season. Love tried to throw the ball away for a sack and a safety to escape, blindly throwing the ball into McCollough’s arms near the goal line.

Williams’ fumble on the first possession of the second half gave the Packers a chance to take the lead. Love threw a mid-range pass to Kraft, who dropped cornerback Darious Williams and safety Quentin Lake on the way to a 66-yard touchdown.

On the ensuing possession, Xavier McKinney intercepted a pass from Stafford and returned it 28 yards to set up a Packers drive that ended with Love’s seven-yard touchdown pass to Kraft.

The Rams got within 24-19 with a short touchdown pass from Stafford to receiver Demarcus Robinson with 3:30 left, but Tutu Atwell was stopped short of the goal line on a two-point conversion attempt on a jet sweep.

With just under three minutes left, the Rams got the ball back, but Stafford’s fourth-down pass with 1:02 left was incomplete.